US to speak out if rights are violated in Russia: White House

Washington: The United States has said that inspite of many common interests with Moscow which Obama Administration has sought to nurture, the US will speak when rights are violated in Russia.

“The United States and Russia have many common interests, as you’ve heard me discuss, and this administration has sought to develop and nurture those interests,” the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

“At the same time, we have sought to deepen our engagement with Russian society and to promote universal values. When rights are violated in Russia, or in any other country, we speak out.

“We are going to continue to pursue both tracks of engagement in the promotion of our interests and our values,” Carney said.

He was responding to questions about statement from the Russian Prime Minister Putin accusing the US of interference in Russian affairs.

“Through engagement with the Russian government, we have advanced several of our top security and economic interests.

We will continue to seek opportunities for cooperation with Russia, based on mutual respect and those common interests,” Carney said.

White House spokesman said the US is encouraged by the Russian President’s commitment to have the Central Election Commission investigate all election violations.

“We welcome his acknowledgement that the demonstrations in Moscow and other cities are part of the democratic process,” he said.

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that the America support democracy for everyone around the world and that US has made clear in its improved relationship with Russia the importance of the common interests, that US has had working with Russia on a number of important issues, he said.

“But we also have sought to deepen our engagement with Russian society and promote universal values. And we will continue to do that,” he added.

PTI